Public Roads Use Plan - Rail Tie Wind Project Albany County, Wyoming Prepared for: ConnectGen Albany County LLC
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Rail Tie Wind Project Albany County, Wyoming Public Roads Use Plan February 2021 Prepared for: ConnectGen Albany County LLC Prepared by: Tetra Tech, Inc. 350 Indiana St., Ste. 500, Golden, CO 80401
ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1
2 PROJECT ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES ............................................ 2
2.1 I-80 ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 I-25 ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 U.S. 287.............................................................................................................. 3
2.4 Hermosa Road (CR 222) .................................................................................... 3
2.5 Dale Creek Road ................................................................................................ 4
2.6 Pumpkin Vine Road (CR 241) ............................................................................. 4
2.7 Cherokee Park Road (CR 31) ............................................................................. 4
2.8 Sportsman Lake Road (CR 316) ......................................................................... 5
2.9 Unnamed Access Road ...................................................................................... 5
2.10 Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319) ............................................................................ 5
2.11 Vedauwoo Road (CR 700) .................................................................................. 5
2.12 Monument Road (CR 234) .................................................................................. 6
3 TRAFFIC VOLUME ........................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Existing Traffic Conditions................................................................................... 7
3.2 Construction and Decommissioning Traffic Conditions ....................................... 8
3.3 Operation and Maintenance Traffic Conditions ................................................... 9
4 COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................10
4.1 Transportation Environmental Protection Measures ...........................................10
4.2 Regulatory Approvals/Authorizations .................................................................11
4.2.1 State Road Use Agreement ....................................................................11
4.2.2 Access Permit ........................................................................................11
4.2.3 Approach License...................................................................................11
4.2.4 County Road Use Agreement .................................................................11
5 LITERATURE CITED ....................................................................................................12
i February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Estimated Existing Road Traffic Conditions Pre-Construction (2022) ........................... 7
Table 2: Estimated Existing Intersection Conditions Pre-Construction (2022) ............................ 8
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 : Project Layout
Figure 2: Public Roads and Transportation Routes
Figure 3: Transportation Analysis Area
Figure 4: Project Intersections
ii February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic
ADT Average Daily Traffic
ConnectGen ConnectGen Albany County LLC
CR County Road
EPM Environmental Protection Measure
I- Interstate
LOS Level of Service
MW Megawatt
O&M Operations and Maintenance
Project Rail Tie Wind Project
PRUP Public Road Use Plan
PSR Pavement Serviceability Rating
Tetra Tech Tetra Tech, Inc.
U.S. 287 U.S. Highway 287
WECS Wind Energy Conversion System
WTG Wind Turbine Generator
WYDOT Wyoming Department of Transportation
iii February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
1 INTRODUCTION
At the request of ConnectGen Albany County LLC (ConnectGen), Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech)
prepared this Public Roads Use Plan (PRUP) for the Rail Tie Wind Project (Project). This
document was prepared to provide Albany County with an outline of the transportation features
that are intended to be utilized as part of Project construction, including a description of potential
haul routes; identification of county, state, and private roads used by the Project; a basic road
condition assessment of these roads; and a summary of potential impacts to these features.
The PRUP also outlines measures that will be implemented by ConnectGen to address potential
impacts to transportation infrastructure and safety considerations. The PRUP has been
developed utilizing the Transportation Analysis Technical Report provided as Appendix F-2,
which provides detailed qualitative and quantitative information and analyses on the potential
impacts to transportation infrastructure from development of the Project. The Transportation
Analysis Technical Report considered the full range of potential turbine model and layout
options.
The Project is located in southeastern Albany County, Wyoming, and encompasses
approximately 26,000 acres of ranchland on private and state lands near Tie Siding, Wyoming
(Figure 1). The Project would include 120 wind turbine generators (WTG), each 4.2 megawatts
(MW) in size, with a combined maximum nameplate capacity of 504 MW. The Project proposes
to interconnect to the existing transmission system of Western Area Power Administration via
the Ault-Craig 345-kilovolt transmission line that runs through the Project Area.
For construction planning and site optimization, the Project consists of two separate stages,
each approximately 252 MW. These stages are defined as the East stage and the West stage
as differentiated by U.S. Highway 287 (U.S. 287). Construction of the Project is expected to
begin in 2022, and will require 2 years to fully construct. It is anticipated that the first 252 MW
West stage would be completed and fully operational by the end of 2022, and the second East
stage operational in 2023.
The Albany County Commercial Wind Energy and Solar Energy Siting Regulations
(Regulations; Chapter 5 Section 12) require that all facilities with an aggregate generating
capacity greater than 25 kilowatts apply for a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) Permit
(Albany County 2020). Albany County is currently considering proposed ordinance revisions to
the current Regulations, which are anticipated to be formally adopted in March 2021. The
information provided in this analysis has been developed to comply with both the existing
Regulations and proposed ordinance revisions. This PRUP is intended to meet requirements
necessary for approval of the WECS Permit as outlined in Section 12, G.9 (a)(1)-(4) of the
Regulations (as proposed). The information and analysis in this PRUP will be used to develop a
Road Improvement and Maintenance Agreement between Albany County and ConnectGen
prior to the commencement of Project construction.
1 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
2 PROJECT ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES
Figure 2 depicts the local public and private roads that will be utilized for Project construction.
Primary legal access to the Project is provided via U.S. 287 onto the following county roads:
Hermosa Road (County Road [CR] 222), Pumpkin Vine Road (CR 241), Cherokee Park Road
(CR 31), Sportsman Lake Road (CR 316), and Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319). Project access is
also provided from the private Dale Creek Road (formerly CR 231) as well as an unnamed
paved turn-off of U.S. 287. Interstate 80 (I-80) will provide additional access to the north side of
the Project Area via Vedauwoo Road (CR 700) and Monument Road (CR 234). In addition to
the county roads outlined above, various portions of the Project would also be accessible via
smaller private roads within the Project Area.
Figure 3 depicts the Transportation Analysis Area utilized for the Transportation Analysis
Technical Report (Appendix F-2), which includes the proposed truck haul routes for delivery of
WTG components for the Project. Primary proposed haul routes include I-80 from Cheyenne,
Wyoming, west to either the Vedauwoo Exit (Exit 329) or Laramie, Wyoming; I-25 north to
Cheyenne; and U.S. 287 north from Fort Collins, Colorado, or south from Laramie. ConnectGen
is in the process of identifying material sourcing locations and methods of delivery. It is still
undecided whether the Project will make use of rail delivery to Laramie and then truck the
components to the Project or whether the components will be trucked all the way from the
source to the Project. The final haul routes utilized for the Project will depending on the final
methods and sources for delivery.
A summary of each of the Project access and proposed haul routes is provided below. An
assessment of road condition was determined for each route using the following publicly
available information:
Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Interactive Transportation System Map
(WYDOT 2019a)
WYDOT Long Range Transportation Plan (WYDOT 2010)
WYDOT Transportation Asset Management Plan (WYDOT 2018)
Aerial imagery via Google Earth
Pavement conditions are based on WYDOT’s pavement serviceability rating (PSR; WYDOT
2018). The PSR combines multiple pavement quality factors to a single metric that is then
defined as either poor, fair, good, or excellent. County gravel road condition was based on
visual inspection of aerial imagery to identify evidence of rutting, washout, or vegetative growth
on the road surface. An in-person visual inspection was not performed as part of this
assessment.
2 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
2.1 I-80
I-80 is a four-lane divided freeway with a grade-separated interchange and is classified as a
principal arterial interstate. I-80 extends east to west through Cheyenne and Laramie and is a
major national freight route. It is well maintained and designed for significant heavy vehicle
traffic. In the vicinity of the Vedauwoo Exit (Exit 329), the pavement is in excellent condition and
is scheduled for rehabilitation in 2022 starting immediately west of the exit (WYDOT 2019a).
I-80 is a proposed primary route for delivery of Project components, construction equipment,
and materials to the Project site, and it may support some limited construction traffic (Figure 3).
2.2 I-25
I-25 is a four-lane divided freeway with a grade-separated interchange and is classified as a
principal arterial interstate. I-25 extends south to north through Cheyenne (where there is an
interchange with I-80) and is a major national freight route. It is well maintained and designed
for significant heavy vehicle traffic. The I-25/I-80 interchange is proposed for upgrades,
including the construction of elevated flyover ramps, bridges, new on- and off-ramps, and
realignment work (WYDOT 2020). The schedule for these improvements is still pending. I-25 is
a proposed primary route for delivery of Project components, construction equipment, and
materials to the Project via its interchange with I-80 in Cheyenne (Figure 3).
2.3 U.S. 287
The segment of U.S. 287 between Fort Collins and Laramie is a four-lane divided highway
classified as a principle arterial with at-grade intersections. It is well maintained and has an
excellent pavement condition rating with the exception of a 2-mile stretch immediately south of
Laramie rated as poor. Pavement maintenance is scheduled in 2021 north of the Project and
south of Laramie (WYDOT 2019a). U.S. 287 is a proposed primary route for delivery of Project
components, construction equipment, and materials to the Project as well as the primary access
route for construction worker and operations and maintenance (O&M) traffic (Figure 3).
2.4 Hermosa Road (CR 222)
Hermosa Road (CR 222) is two-lane gravel road that is approximately 20 to 24 feet wide. It
extends northeast from U.S. 287 opposite Tie Siding to Monument Road (CR 234), north of the
Project Area, and approximately 1.5 miles south of the I-80-Vedauwoo Exit (Figure 2). There are
dedicated turn lanes from U.S. 287 onto Hermosa Road (CR 222) but no acceleration lanes for
merging vehicles (Figure 4). This road is used by local residents and is likely rarely maintained,
but it appears to be in good condition. There is an at-grade railroad crossing on the road
approximately 1 mile east of U.S. 287 that may restrict delivery of Project components.
Hermosa Road (CR 222) will be utilized for transportation of Project components, construction
equipment and materials, construction workers, and O&M activities within the Project Area.
3 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
2.5 Dale Creek Road
Dale Creek Road (formerly CR 231) is a private two-lane gravel road that is approximately 18 to
22 feet wide. It extends east from U.S. 287 to Monument Road (CR 234) through the central
portion of the eastern half of the Project (Figure 2). There are dedicated turn/deceleration lanes
for both directions accessing Dale Creek Road (Figure 4). This road is likely rarely maintained,
but it appears to be in fair condition. There is evidence of rutting in several locations as well as
some vegetation growth in the center for the road in several locations along its length. Dale
Creek Road crosses below the Union Pacific Railroad via a small tunnel approximately 4.6 miles
from its intersection with U.S.287, and this tunnel may restrict transportation of large Project
components to either the eastern or western portions of the road depending on the access
point. Dale Creek Road will be utilized for transportation of Project components, construction
equipment and materials, construction workers, and O&M activities within the Project Area.
2.6 Pumpkin Vine Road (CR 241)
Pumpkin Vine Road (CR 241) is a two-lane gravel road that is approximately 18 to 22 feet wide.
It extends east from U.S 287 to Monument Road (CR 234) through the southern portion of the
eastern half of the Project (Figure 2). Its intersection with U.S. 287 is a T intersection with the
minor leg headed northeast (Figure 4). There is a dedicated turn lane for southbound (left-
turning) vehicles but not for the northbound (right-turning) vehicles. This road is used by local
residents and is likely rarely maintained, but it appears to be in good condition. After exiting the
intersection on the minor leg, the road makes a tight turn to the south, which may restrict
delivery of Project components if it is not modified. Pumpkin Vine Road (CR 241) will be utilized
for transportation of Project components, construction equipment and materials, construction
workers, and O&M activities within the Project Area.
2.7 Cherokee Park Road (CR 31)
Cherokee Park Road (CR 31) is a two-lane gravel road that is approximately 22 to 26 feet wide.
It extends southwest from U.S. 287 at Tie Siding approximately 3.2 miles to its intersection with
Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319), bisecting the western portion of the Project, then extending
south to the Wyoming-Colorado border west of the Project (Figure 2). There are dedicated turn
lanes from U.S. 287 onto Cherokee Park Road (CR 31), but no acceleration lanes for merging
vehicles (Figure 4). The entrance at U.S. 287 is the primary access to Tie Siding. This road is
the most heavily utilized county road in the Project Area and likely well maintained as it appears
to be in good condition. Cherokee Park Road (CR 31) will be utilized for transportation of Project
components, construction equipment and materials, construction workers, and O&M activities
within the Project Area.
4 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
2.8 Sportsman Lake Road (CR 316)
Sportsman Lake Road (CR 316) is a two-lane gravel road that is approximately 18 to 22 feet
wide. It extends west from U.S 287 across the northwestern Project boundary (Figure 2). There
are dedicated turn lanes from U.S. 287 onto Sportsman Lake Road (CR 316), but they have no
acceleration lanes for merging vehicles (Figure 4). This road is used by local residents and is
likely rarely maintained, but it appears to be in fair condition. There is evidence of rutting in
several locations along the area that will be used for Project construction. Sportsman Lake
Road (CR 316) will be utilized for transportation of Project components, construction equipment
and materials, construction workers, and O&M activities within the Project Area.
2.9 Unnamed Access Road
This unnamed access road is a paved turn-off of U.S. 287 approximately 1.7 miles south of Tie
Siding. This location is proposed for development as a new access road on the west side of
U.S. 287 (Figure 2). The turn-off is paved for approximately 100 feet before transitioning to a
private two-track road that provides access to a cell tower about 1,900 feet southwest of the
intersection. There are currently no turn lanes at this intersection; however, the road pavement
is wide enough to allow for striping of the turn lanes (Figure 4). This access road will be utilized
for transportation of Project components, construction equipment and materials, construction
workers, and O&M activities within the Project Area
2.10 Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319)
Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319) is a two-lane gravel road that is approximately 20 to 24 feet wide.
It extends west from its intersection with Cherokee Park Road (CR 31) in the northwestern
portion of the Project (Figure 2). This road is used by local residents and is likely rarely
maintained, but it appears to be in good condition. Boulder Ridge Road (CR 319) will be utilized
for access to the O&M building, which is located just west of the intersection of Boulder Ridge
Road (CR 319) and Cherokee Park Road (CR 31; Figure 2).
2.11 Vedauwoo Road (CR 700)
The segment of Vedauwoo Road (CR 700) that would be utilized for the Project is a two-lane
paved road that is approximately 30 feet wide. It extends west from its intersection with I-80 at
Exit 329 approximately 0.14 mile to its intersection with Monument Road (CR 234),
approximately 1.7 miles northeast of the Project (Figure 2). This intersection is a low-traffic
volume, grade-separated exit off of I-80 (Figure 4). This intersection is utilized primarily by local
residents is well maintained, and appears to be in good condition. Vedauwoo Road (CR 700)
will be utilized as a primary haul route access point for transportation of Project components and
construction equipment and materials within the Project Area and may support some limited
construction worker and O&M traffic.
5 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
2.12 Monument Road (CR 234)
Monument Road (CR 234) is a two-lane gravel road that is approximately 24 to 26 feet wide. It
extends south from its intersection with Vedauwoo Road (CR 700) along the northeastern
boundary of the Project before turning east (Figure 2). Monument Road (CR 234) provides
connectivity on the eastern portion of the Project to Hermosa Road (CR 222), Pumpkin Vine
Road (CR 241), and Dale Creek Road. This road is also a heavily utilized county road in the
Project Area, and it is likely well maintained as it appears to be in good condition. Monument
Road (CR 234) will be utilized as a primary route for transportation of Project components and
construction equipment and materials within the Project Area and may support some limited
construction worker and O&M traffic.
6 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
3 TRAFFIC VOLUME
3.1 Existing Traffic Conditions
Traffic on U.S. 287 is relatively low for a Highway and is primarily through traffic in the vicinity of
the Project. All the county roads have extremely light use relative to their capacity, and they
mainly serve local residents. Non-resident uses along these county roads are likely for
recreational purposes, namely hunting. No traffic volume data are available for county roads
within Albany County; however, the average daily traffic (ADT) for these roads is assumed to be
less than 70 vehicles based on the low density of development within the area.
Table 1 provides a breakdown of estimated baseline traffic volumes along the major
interstates/highways potentially impacted by the Project for 2022, when construction is planned
to commence on the Project, using Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) estimates. Table 2
provides a breakdown of estimated baseline traffic volumes for 2022 at the major intersections
of county/private roads with U.S. 287 and I-80 potentially impacted by the Project (Figures 3 and
4). The AADT and Level of Service (LOS) estimates were developed based on the following:
Wyoming Annual Automatic Traffic Recorder Report Map (WYDOT 2019b)
Monthly Reports from the WYDOT automatic traffic recorders (WYDOT 2019b)
Highway Capacity Manual, Sixth Edition: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis (TRB
2016)
Tables 1 and 2 also outline the estimated LOS in 2022 for these routes and intersections. It is
anticipated that in 2022, at the start of Project construction, all Project roads and intersections
will be performing at LOS A (0–10 second delay) or LOS B (10–15 second delay) with excellent
functionality, indicating relatively low traffic volumes compared to the capacity of the roadway.
More detailed traffic volume information, including LOS methodology, is provided in the
Transportation Analysis Technical Report (Appendix F-2).
Table 1: Estimated Existing Road Traffic Conditions Pre-Construction (2022)
Interstate/ Location Peak Hour
Highway Description % Trucks AADT (2022) Number of Lanes LOS
I-80 East of Laramie 47% 13,918 4 A
I-25 South of Cheyenne 15% 22,682 4 A
U.S. 287 Near Tie Siding 17% 4,676 4 A
7 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
Table 2: Estimated Existing Intersection Conditions Pre-Construction (2022)
Location Number of Lanes Peak Hour
Intersections Description % Trucks AADT (2022) LOS
Intersection 1 U.S. 287, Sportsman 15% 4686 2 B
Lake Road (CR 316)
Intersection 2 U.S. 287, Cherokee 15% 4736 2 B
Park Road (CR 31)/
Hermosa Road (CR
222)
Intersection 3 U.S. 287, Dale Creek 15% 4686 2 A
Road
Intersection 4 U.S. 287, Unnamed 15% 4676 2 A
Access Road
Intersection 5 U.S. 287, Pumpkin 15% 4686 2 A
Vine Road (CR 241)
Intersection 6 I-80, Vedauwoo Road NA1 40 2 NA1
Exit (Exit 329)
1 Vedauwoo Road is a grade-separated intersection at I-80. Project traffic utilizing this intersection will not affect
the traffic on I-80.
3.2 Construction and Decommissioning Traffic Conditions
Construction activities are scheduled to begin in early 2022 and the construction of the Project
is anticipated to take 20 months, during which time the average monthly workforce is estimated
to average 120 workers and peak at 195 workers. It is anticipated that the first 252 MW West
stage would be completed and fully operational by the end of 2022, and the second East stage
operational in 2023. While worker numbers may vary, decommissioning is anticipated to be
approximately the same average number of workers as construction. During peak construction
and decommissioning, it is assumed that a peak of approximately 50 heavy vehicles, including
but not limited to semi-trucks, component delivery trucks, water trucks, heavy machinery, and
concrete trucks arrive per day. These peak values are assumed to represent the largest number
of vehicles that would feasibly access the Project Area in a day. It is assumed that tower
components will be delivered at a rate of up to 10 towers per week during a 6-day work week,
for an average of up to 15 WTG components per day.
Regardless of which delivery method is chosen, it is likely that all haul routes (I-80, I-25, and
U.S. 287) will see at least a slight increase in construction and decommissioning traffic from
estimated baseline traffic. Impacts to LOS from increased traffic along these routes would result
in a drop in LOS by no more than on letter grade (A to B), and therefore would not result in
qualitative changes to LOS beyond normal wear and tear.
During construction, impacts to LOS from increased traffic at the Project intersections would
result in in a drop in LOS by no more than on letter grade (A to B). During decommissioning at
the end of the project life, the LOS at Project intersections would similarly drop by no more than
one letter grade (A to B), with the exception of one intersection which is conservatively
8 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
estimated to drop by one letter grade from B to C during decommissioning. While LOS C is not
representative of ideal traffic conditions, it is considered the lowest acceptable LOS in rural
areas (i.e., the lowest level of service that has not become objectionable to motorists). In
addition, the LOS of C would only be anticipated during peak commuting hours at the peak of
decommissioning, and thus would be temporary in nature. Overall, all intersections are
anticipated to support acceptable LOS during peak construction and decommissioning
conditions.
Daily traffic volumes along county/private roads being utilized for the Project would increase
significantly during the construction and decommissioning period, including some disruptions or
delays at their intersections with U.S. 287 and I-80. However, because the major legs of these
intersections are continuous flow, the impacts to these roads from the addition of Project traffic
would be negligible. Primarily, delays will be experienced by Project workers who have to wait
for a gap in the cross-traffic along these major legs to move from the minor leg of the
intersection. Complete analysis of the estimated traffic volumes and level of service is provided
in the Transportation Analysis Technical Report (Appendix F-2).
During construction, modifications to county and private roads, including grading and addition of
gravel aggregate and temporary radii expansions, will be completed as necessary to
accommodate construction traffic, including delivery of large Project components such as
turbine blades. Road closures would be required during construction and decommissioning of
the Project to allow the transport of large Project infrastructure (e.g., turbine components) and to
allow haul trucks sole access to the road while delivering Project components. These road
closures would be temporary and, depending on their location, could temporarily restrict public
access to certain roads.
3.3 Operation and Maintenance Traffic Conditions
Once the Project is operational, traffic levels associated with O&M activities will be low in
volume, and the traffic in the area will appear similar to existing conditions. The operation of the
Project will require approximately 23 workers on a daily basis who work on different shifts.
Occasionally, larger maintenance tasks will involve deliveries and short-term increases in
workforce. These O&M activities would have no appreciable effect on the operation of the haul
route or Project access roads and intersections.
9 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
4 COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
The Project would contribute to changes in traffic volumes on roadways; however, the
anticipated impact to LOS for highway and interstate routes and Project intersections at county
and private roads is minimal. Intersections and roads will operate at good conditions (LOS A or
B) during peak construction and decommissioning. The Project would minimize the extent and
duration of access restrictions and changes to traffic patterns as well as ensure the safety of
Project staff and motorists, through implementation of the transportation Environmental
Protection Measures (EPMs) outlined below. Based on the information provided in this PRUP,
as well as ConnectGen’s ongoing coordination with Albany County Road and Bridge
Department, no significant impacts to transportation and access from Project development are
anticipated.
4.1 Transportation Environmental Protection Measures
With the exception of the addition of gravel aggregate and grading improvements, no permanent
upgrades or changes to existing transportation infrastructure would be required as part of
construction, O&M, or decommissioning of the Project. During construction, temporary
modifications to county and private roads, such as radii expansions, will be completed to
accommodate delivery of large Project components such as turbine blades. The Project would
be constructed and operated in compliance with applicable zoning, siting, and environmental
regulations, which include implementation of appropriate transportation planning and traffic
controls. Project-related travel during construction would be restricted to routes identified in the
Project Site Plan. No equipment or vehicles would be parked on roads maintained by Albany
County. Prior to the start of construction, a Fugitive Dust Plan would be prepared pursuant to
Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations. Unpaved access roads and disturbed areas
where construction activities are occurring, including temporary laydown areas, would be
treated with water or other surfactants as frequently as necessary to further control fugitive dust.
A Transportation and Traffic Management Plan would be developed and implemented in
coordination with WYDOT and Albany County to manage turbine component deliveries, traffic,
and circulation in and around the Project Area and minimize traffic delays. Deliveries of Project
components during construction would be scheduled outside of local traffic volume peak times
to the extent feasible, thereby minimizing conflicts between Project and non-Project traffic.
Deliveries would be made by professional transportation companies familiar with the type of
equipment, loads involved, and U.S. Department of Transportation, WYDOT, and Albany
County regulations. Construction deliveries would be coordinated to avoid major traffic-
generating events in Laramie, including events held on the University of Wyoming campus, to
the extent practicable. The Project would coordinate with local law enforcement to manage
traffic flows and monitor traffic speed during deliveries. If temporary closures are necessary to
allow haul trucks sole access to the road while delivering Project components, closures are not
expected to exceed 15 minutes during each closure event. Temporary road closures would be
10 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
implemented with construction cones and/or staffed intersections with a traffic-control flagger.
Signage would be placed near construction areas in accordance with the Regulations (Albany
County 2020) and in coordination with Albany County Road and Bridge Department and
WYDOT to notify travelers and local residents about construction and the timing and routes for
oversized vehicle movements and deliveries.
4.2 Regulatory Approvals/Authorizations
The following transportation-related approvals or authorizations will be required for the Project.
4.2.1 State Road Use Agreement
A Road Use Agreement is required by WYDOT prior to the use of state roads by Project traffic
and requires applicants to be financially responsible for state road repairs and maintenance as
determined by WYDOT.
4.2.2 Access Permit
An Access Permit is required by WYDOT for any widening or building of an approach from land
joined to a State highway right-of-way and requires applicants to be responsible for
construction, maintenance, and removal (if necessary) of the approach.
4.2.3 Approach License
An Approach License is required by Albany County Road and Bridge Department for building an
approach from land joined to a county road right-of-way and requires applicants to be
responsible for construction, maintenance, and removal (if necessary) of the approach.
4.2.4 County Road Use Agreement
A Road Improvement and Maintenance Agreement (Agreement) is required by Albany County
Road and Bridge Department for use of county roads by the Project and could include
requirements for road improvements and/or maintenance as deemed necessary.
ConnectGen anticipates that specific road maintenance requirements will be addressed in the
Agreement and commits to working cooperatively with Albany County to determine road access,
safety measures, upgrades, and maintenance requirements. Although not currently anticipated,
should ConnectGen determine that modifications to a county road are necessary for the Project,
they will present the design to the Albany County Road and Bridge Supervisor for review. At the
completion of the Project and during decommissioning, ConnectGen will reclaim disturbed areas
in accordance with the Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan submitted as part of the County
WECS Permit Application.
11 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
5 LITERATURE CITED
Albany County. 2020. Albany County Zoning Resolution. Originally Adopted August 1, 1997.
Last Amended October 6, 2020. Albany County Planning Department. Available online
at: https://www.co.albany.wy.us/DocumentCenter/View/1004/Zoning-Resolution-PDF.
Accessed January 2021.
TRB (Transportation Research Board). 2016. Highway Capacity Manual, Sixth Edition: A Guide
for Multimodal Mobility Analysis. October 2016. Available online at:
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/175169.aspx. Accessed January 2021.
WYDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation). 2020. I-25/I-80 Interchange Project.
Available online at: http://www.i25i80.com/. Accessed January 2021.
———. 2019a. Interactive Transportation System Map. Available online at:
https://apps.wyoroad.info/itsm/map.html. Accessed January 2021.
———. 2019b. Traffic Data. Available online at:
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/Traffic_Data.html. Accessed January
2021.
———. 2018. Transportation Asset Management Plan. Revised June 7, 2019. Wyoming
Department of Transportation. Available online at:
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/live/sites/wydot/files/shared/Planning/Transportation-
Plans/TAMP_WYDOT%20SubmissionPublic_Final_2.pdf. Accessed January 2021.
———. 2010. WYDOT Long Range Plan. Available online at:
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/live/sites/wydot/files/shared/Planning/Long%20Range%2
0Transportation%20Plan%202010.pdf. Accessed January 2021.
12 February 2021ConnectGen Albany County LLC Public Roads Use Plan
Business Confidential Rail Tie Wind Project
Figures
Figure 1 : Project Layout
Figure 2: Public Roads and Transportation Routes
Figure 3: Transportation Analysis Area
Figure 4: Project Intersections
February 202180
Klo
Rail Tie Wind Project
n di k
e Rd Figure 1
234
Project Layout
222
Steve Albany County, WY
n son R
d
Da
vis
He rm
Pk
wy Project Area
o
sa Rd
Turbine
Met Tower
316
Access Road
Collection Line
Sportsman Lake Rd Crane Path
287
Transmission Line
Da l e Cre Project Substation
e k Rd
Tie Siding Interconnection Substation
Mo LaydownYards
nu
m e nt
Rd O&M Site
State/County Boundary
Highways
R:\PROJECTS\CONNECTGEN_ALBANY_6684\TECH_REPORTS\MAPS\TRANSPORTATION\Rail_Tie_Figure_1_Project_Layout.mxd
Other Roads
P um p
kin Vi n
e Rd
241
d 319
eR
dg
Ri
re
uld
Bo
31
0 0.5 1 2
Miles
MT
Cherokee Pa rk Rd
SD
i ng R
d ID WY
r Cross
e
De
NE
Albany County, Wyoming UT
CO
59
Larimer County, ColoradoW Vedauwo
o Rd Intersection #6
Rail Tie Wind Project
Figure 2
Public Roads and
Transportation Routes
80
Albany County, WY
se Rd
Iro n Hor
Project Area
Mo
Turbine
num
Klo
n Met Tower
ent
S te v 222 di ke
e nso Rd
n Rd
Rd
Access Road
Da
vis
Pk Project Substation
wy
Ra
Interconnection Substation
m
sH
LaydownYards
orn
316 287
O&M Site
Rd
Intersection #1
Rd Transportation Analysis Area
osa
Sportsman Lake Rd He rm 234
State/County Boundary
Intersection #2
Highways
Da le Cre
e k Rd
Tie Siding
Intersection #3
Other Roads
Railroad
Un M
ion on
Intersection #4
Intersection
Pa um
R:\PROJECTS\CONNECTGEN_ALBANY_6684\TECH_REPORTS\MAPS\TRANSPORTATION\Rail_Tie_Figure_2_Routes.mxd
c if en
ic
Ra tR
il ro d
ad
Intersection #5
Pum pki n Vi n
e Rd
241
31
319
0 0.5 1 2
Miles
MT
Cherokee P ark Rd
d
eR
SD
i dg
d
ng R
rR
ossi ID WY
Cr
ld e
r
De e
Bou
NE
Albany County, Wyoming
87c
We Larimer County, Colorado UT
av CO
er
Ra 43f
59 n ch
RdUnion
Rail Tie Wind Project
Pac ific
Figure 3
Railroad
Transportation Analysis Area
30
Albany County, WY
Laramie
287
30
Project Area
210
Transportation Analysis
287 Area
ailroad
yR Intersection
alle
V
ie
m State/County Boundary
Union
ra
La 85
Highways
P acific R a i
Other Roads
Railroad
l r oa
d
Ranchettes
hern Railroad
on Nort
Burling t
The Buttes
Un
W Vedauwoo Road Intersection #6
ion
Pac
Warren AFB
R:\PROJECTS\CONNECTGEN_ALBANY_6684\TECH_REPORTS\MAPS\TRANSPORTATION\Rail_Tie_Figure_3_TRANSPORTATION.mxd
ific
25
ilr
Ra
o ad 80
Hermosa Rd 180
Sportsman Lake Rd 30
222
316 85
Intersection #1
Dale Creek Rd Union Up Ra
il r oad
South Greeley
Monument Rd P ac
ific R
Intersection #2 ailro
ad
Intersection #3 234
Intersection #4
34
Intersection #5 241
319
Pumpkin Vine Rd 0 1 2 4
Cherokee Park Rd 287
Boulder Ridge Rd 31 Miles
Alban y County, W yoming
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
Larimer County, Colo rado
MT
SD
ID WY
Union P a
NE
85
UT
c ific
CO
Rai
lroadIntersection #1 Intersection #2 Intersection #3
Highway 287 / Sportsman Lake Rd Hermosa Road / Cherokee Park Road Highway 287 / Dale Creek Rd.
Rail Tie Wind Project
Figure 4
d Project Intersections
aR d
os kR
erm ree
H C
le Albany County, WY
Da
287
Sportsman Lake Rd 287
287
rk Rd
ke e P a
C he ro
0 50 100 200 0 50 100 200 0 50 100 200
Feet Feet Feet
R:\PROJECTS\CONNECTGEN_ALBANY_6684\TECH_REPORTS\MAPS\TRANSPORTATION\Rail_Tie_Figure_4_INTERSECTIONS_20200107.mxd
Intersection #4 Intersection #5 Intersection #6
Highway 287 / Unnamed road Highway 287 / Pumpkin Vine Rd Interstate 80 / Vedauwoo Rd
Rd
n e
Vi R
d
in 80
pk oo NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
m w
Pu au
d
Ve
80
287
287 Intersection #6
80
287
Intersection #1
Intersection #3
Intersection #2 Intersection #4
Intersection #5
0 50 100 200 0 50 100 200 0 50 100 200
Feet Feet FeetYou can also read
